December 22nd - Christmas with JonThomas

On the 22nd, our friends Jonathan, Stacy, and JonThomas came over to do gifts and make gingerbread houses. Ava was in heaven to have JonThomas here, but apparently is in tattletell mode, because she kept being whiny and running over to tell when JT was playing with her toys. But like always, she was sad when he left! Girls! Anyway, Ava is crazy about JonThomas and she loves playing with him. After they first got here, they exchanged gifts. JT gave Ava a piano and a Fairies sticker book. Ava gave JT a mini-Clue game (late bday) and a Webkinz cat. Ava was so cute opening her presents and JT was tickled with his. We got them together for a few pictures, but they ended up being mostly crazy little outtakes. You can see that everything JT does, Ava has to do. I will post some of their gingerbread houses at a later time.

December 21st

December 21st was a pretty uneventful day. We slept in a little later than usual since we were worn out from Christmas in KY, but we still made it to church. After church we swung by Taco Bell for lunch. I had a photo session that afternoon while Daddy and Ava napped. After I got home, I took a small nap, and then we ate a quick bite of supper. Even though it was super cold outside, we bundled Ava up in her Christmas pj's, coat, mittens, hat, and a blanket so we could go see Christmas lights. We really wanted hot chocolate, but couldn't find a place open that sold it. On our way home we stopped by Nana and Pop's so Ava could see their Christmas tree and visit a little bit.

More December Daily Album Pages

Here are the pictures of the pages I completed for my December Daily album. I am a lot behind due to my little cold and the business of the season. I have enjoyed doing this, I just wish I had more time to devote to it!

December 20th- Christmas at Nanny's

On Saturday we headed up to KY to spend Christmas at Nanny's house. This year with money being tight we focused on the kids in the family and a lot of us didn't exchange gifts. Bo came up with some fun games to play and we enjoyed BBQ instead of a traditional Christmas dinner. The kids were even visited by Santa and as you can see from the pictures, Ava was very weary of him. It was a nice family Christmas, especially for our first Christmas without my grandfather. But, I know he was with us in spirit, and I am sure he was yelling at the great-grandkids for running on his carpet.

The Nutcracker Wars

I admit it. I have a tiny phobia/fear of nutcrackers. I find their creepy little eyes and scary little teeth to be slightly disturbing. So for the past few years, Mike and Bo have made it his mission at Christmas time to find a severely scary nutcracker and bestow that to me as a gift.

This year these adorable little decorations have been finding their way into the mail and into my home. Today the 2nd package arrived and Ava came running in with a pair of scissors (which in my defense she climbed up onto the kitchen counter to retrieve) and a box covered in nutcracker stickers. I decided to video the experience and share it with you.

Invasion of the Nutcrackers- (in 3 parts)



Part - 2 - Nothing really exciting here, just Ava trying really hard to open a present and doing a lot of heavy breathing.



Part 3 - The contents revealed

December 18th - A Visit with Santa

This holiday season, as a 2 year old, Ava is very aware of Christmas. She is enthralled by the lights, the music, the magic, and with Santa. Or so we thought....

For a few days we had been talking up Santa, watching movies about Santa, looking at pictures of Santa, and making sure Ava knows who Santa is and what he does. Ava has been very excited about seeing Santa and she just couldn't wait.

Fast forward to our trip to the mall to see Santa. It started out great; a little car nap on the way, excitement that we were finally there to see him, and Ava ready to bust out of her stroller and run up to him. We waited in line for about 10 or 15 minutes and the whole time Ava was watching him, telling people she was going to see Santa, and trying to cut line to be the first kid through. Man, was she excited. Now take that WAS and concentrate on it.

So, she ran up to Santa, stopped dead in her tracks, and she was done. It was all over. Now, she didn't cry, but rather had this deer in headlights expression on her face. There were no smiles, but no tears either. She didn't want to look at him or talk to him. It was just so sad. She refused to sit on his lap of course, but she stood in front of him and accepted a candy cane and a small (very small) hug at the end. But from that point on, the rest of our time at the mall was so subdued and sad. It was like she was heartbroken and she didn't know why. I am so tempted to take her to see Santa in Dyersburg to see if it gets the same reaction or if maybe she will have warmed up.

Now that I think about it, it kind of resembled Ralphie from A Christmas Story when he gets up to Santa and can't remember what he wanted. Our little girl just lost the ability to talk and be the funny little social butterfly we know she is. I am just glad there were no tears and maybe next time, she will be a little more responsive to the man in red.

More Days of Christmas Pictures

Since I have been off the last few days I have still been behind on my blogging, but I am really coming along on my scrapbook. I took some pictures of it yesterday and I am hoping to get those posted tonight or tomorrow. Here are a few recent pictures:

Ava and Daddy watching "A Garfield Christmas." This old cartoon has become an Ava fave!

Ava and Mommy decorating our 2nd Christmas tree.

The sweet little book that Ms. Patty helped Ava make for Bradley and me.

Ava tormenting Paisley.

Ava passed out on Daddy.

What a Lucky Girl!

Guess what Ava won!





*Edited to Add - No Mom-This is not real! HA!HA!*

Picture Post

Just wanted to post a few pictures of recent holiday happenings. I have been super swamped with pictures, Christmas parties, and now a horrible cold. So, I thought I would just post a few pictures until I can get back on track.